It seems like every Sunday, theres a new face sitting in the pews of the Church of Saint Verena and the Three Holy Youth in Orange, Calif. Most are young professionals or families with small children and some have been living in the United States for a just few weeks. The first waves of immigration, said Bishop Serapion of the Coptic Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii.

These worshipers are Egyptian Christians, better known as Copts. Their church is Coptic Orthodox, the largest Christian church in Egypt and the Middle East with services similar to other Christian faiths. They perform sacraments like the Catholics and recite prayers many faithful Americans would recognize, including Our Father and Hail Mary. Mass is spoken in a mix of English, Arabic and the ancient Coptic language.

Copts account for roughly ten percent of Egypts mostly Muslim population. Under ousted President Hosni Mubaraks government, they were relatively safe. But with the Muslim Brotherhood now in power, they face growing threats of violence and persecution.

Religious experts worry Christianity in Egypt will follow the same path as the religion in Iraq. After Saddam Hussein fell from power, attacks on Christians grew and many left en masse. Copts have faced a growing threat in recent years, most notably the bombing of an Alexandria church on New Years Day 2011, which killed 21 people.

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